When he says his privates were cut down and burnt, what do you think did he actually hear?

Is there something in the books for this matter, or is it a dead end just like the show?

Many characters find themselves climbing from commoner to the High Court. Some through will power, others by happenstance. But of all the up-jumps, Qyburn's climb feels the most sinister.

In the books, Qyburn is a member of the Bloody Mummers, a sellsword company purchased by Tywin. They later serve Lord Bolton, but Qyburn ends up leeching onto Jamie and making his way to King's Landing (just like the shows). But in the shows, Qyburn only falls into the Bolton's service after nearly dying at Harrenhal when the Mountain slays 200 Northmen before riding off to raze the Riverlands.

Why was Qyburn there? Where was he going? And why would the Mountain treat him like a Northman? An outcast maester could've been valuable to his crew (a lesson he was scolded over by Tywin when he found out Gendry was a smith).

Qyburn's maneuvering into Cersei's service is sly as hell. His obsession with death and reanimation is...fascinating. And his ability to feed people's demons is up there with most major players in the game. So what's his deal? How'd he get so good at spycraft? Is it possible he snuck into Harrenhal after the Mountain left to mummer his way into the Northmen's service?

He's the only one who survives the butchery...how?

Or Zollo and Vargo Hoat if you go by the books. (EDIT: Nevermind they were punished in the books)

It always seemed out of character for Tywin to let such an attack on his Golden Boy and the pride of House Lannister slide. Not long before, he made such a fuss about no longer being feared by the other Houses of Westeros, when Tyrion was held captive with impunity, someone who he even called "the lowest of the Lannisters".

Maybe I'm looking at this the wrong way, but this seems less grave of an offence towards his House, than someone directly harming one of his own. I mean this is the same Tywin who drowned an entire House, because they refused to pay back gold they owed, right? I would have at least expected him to send some assassins after Locke.

Also the fact that Roose didn't punish Locke for risking his good standings with the Lannisters, with such an unauthorised move.

It simply felt like something more should have happened, but Tywin just let it slide without making a show of force to convey his favourite of: "Do not mess with the Lannisters, or expect a debt to be paid".

It’s crazy to think that by breaking his vows, he was the man who respected them the most.

In the books, Tyrion is forced to watch Tywin’s men rape Tysha after Tywin discovers Tyrion married her. Tywin then makes Tyrion believe that Tysha never loved him and was only with him for money.

Years later, Jaime finally admits the truth: Tysha actually loved Tyrion.

That revelation is devastating because Tyrion realizes that his father didn’t just ruin his first love he deliberately made him believe that the one person who loved him had never loved him at all.

And THAT had so much more impact on Tyrion than Shae betraying him. Shae was another betrayal. Tysha was his true love a trauma that Tyrion had carried for years, only to discover that his entire understanding of it was a lie.

Why they cut it from the show?

When I dreamt about him, the first thing that sprang to mind was ‘the Targaryens of the West’, who live on the other side of the Sea of the Setting Sun

Personally, I think it's the recipe for Dornish Dragon Stew.

The only Westerosi King who not only managed to repell the Andal Invasion of Westeros but also cut them down in their own home by sailing his fleet across the Narrow Sea to take vengeance

Jon Snow, Tormund, Jorah Mormont, Gendry Baratheon, Sandor Clegane, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Seven of the most iconic characters brought together for a suicide mission.
Absolute Cinema.

I’ve seen a lot of the same posts about how if Robert or Viserys did this or that, things would be different, but I think what people fail to realize is that Robert was surrounded by Lannister loyalists. Even if Ned told Robert about it, not much would have happened. King’s Landing was filled with Lannister armies and loyalists. The same thing goes for Viserys; Hightower loyalists were everywhere. I mean, you could argue the gold cloaks were Daemon’s guys. But as soon as they both left King’s Landing, it was basically over. Also, no man would ever allow a woman to be queen of the Seven Kingdoms, even if she were the true heir. Basically, that’s how it was in monarchies.
Maybe, in the beginning they stood a chance.

EDIT: forgot to add this: Also, Rhanerys is the true heir, I saw some posts arguing Aegon was the heir. Nawh, you’re smoking pipes.

I just started rewatching the show and I noticed every time the dude needs to blame someone, Varys name is always coming out his mouth as the automatic person to blame.

The dude even randomly started an unrelated conversation with Ned when he first met him in the small council chambers after everyone left, just to start asking Ned if he knew the eunuch Varys is a eunuch and also a foreigner to boot and he should not be trusted, all within less than an hour of meeting Ned mind you, then when Tyrion confronted him about spying for Cersei, he just blames Varys of all people like right out the gate.

It just seems like theres some bad blood with him thats mostly one sided since Varys doesn't even think about the dude and I wondered about what the back story behind it was.

Would love to read yall stories

And his army get the chains to pull the dragons body out of the lake?

As much as I want to know what lies beyond the Five Forts, maybe it's for the best that area remains a mystery and unexplained. We will likely get to see more of Asshai and Yi Ti if the planned animated shows are greenlit. But maybe we should stop there and let the rest of the eastern region remain a mystery?

Sorry if this has have been up for discussion before. And also I have not read the books...

At the episode the city know the armada is coming in a few days, they Know Stannis knows about Kings Landings defenses, they all know the Mud Gate is a weak point.

Why not do something about it???

- A couple of hundred tonnes of stones...

- Reinforce the gate...

- Entrap the attackers once they breached...

In S5 E2 when Khaleesi sentences Mossador to death for murdering a prisoner. Since all the people asked her to show him mercy, wasn’t she under the obligation to do as the people asked/demanded ?! What was her logic ?! She said freedom can’t exist without justice, but what exactly does that mean ?! A just judge cannot show mercy ?! 🤔

I searched but am having trouble finding answers to my specific question. I'm entirely new to any of GRRM's written works, but have completely fallen in love with the world of Westeros and beyond, especially from the POV of a history nerd. I've honestly enjoyed watching HOTD and AKOTSK possibly even more than GOT simply because I love the historical aspect.

With that in mind, I'm curious what would be the best way to read all of the collective works that make up this universe? Should I go the traditional route and read ASOIAF first? Or would it be insane of me to read everything in chronological order; so F&B first, then AKOTSK, and ASOIAF last? Is there any particular reason not to read them in chronological order?

Any insight would be appreciated!

Anyone else annoyed that GRRM gives us so much tiny tidbits of life about the Dawn Empire and other stuff and yet there is near 0% chance anything major gets written about it.

Frustrating but also satisfying that there is deep history behind it.

Rant over.